Southampton - Did you know that the largest energy consumption area in your home is your phantom power usage from your computers, chargers and media center? In fact, if you had a master switch to turn the electronics and chargers off each day, you would save at least $50 a month on your electric bill. And more importantly, you will help the environment in a small way - which can only lower our fossil fuel consumption, which helps future generations.

Eco-friendly backpacks. (rei.com)

As many families focus on back-to-school season, we wanted to provide a few eco-friendly school items that you and your children might want to explore.

Eco School Supplies
The plethora of school supply options that are attractive instead of the standard brown cardboard - will give you and your child a few choices and you can definitely find something in your budget.

 • Pencils: Spend less than $5 for a box of 48 pencils that are recycled from the tip to the eraser by getting Earth Write Pencils by Papermate, (www.officedepot.com).

 • Binders & Pencil Bags: Check out the pencil cases made of old juice boxes or the binder made of old chip bags on The Ultimate Green Store, (www.ultimategreenstore.com).

 • Solar Book Bag: How many times have you been in class and you needed a plug for your laptop or your phone? If it happens to you and you have a Voltaic bookbag - with built in solar panels - you can charge your electronics during class, (www.voltaicsystems.com).

Water Bottles. (gaiam.com)

Eco College Dorm Room
Dorm rooms are cozy and everyone remembers the organic sheets, comforters, pillows and hypoallergenic covers. But the items that are not on your list might be the most important:

 • Water Filtration Bottle: Instead of using plastic bottles, consider using a water bottle with a filtration system built in from Water Bobble, (www.target.com).

 • Extra Seating/Surfaces: Imagine a group of friends coming over to visit your dorm room and you want to eat or study together. Consider a trio of Ottomans that hide within the largest one - a cool way to decorate, (www.gaiam.com).

 • Get a bike: Save on time and energy by riding your bike around campus and make sure to get a bike lock that costs at least 10 percent to 15 percent of the cost of your bike, (www.rei.com).

Bamboo hangers. (hangers.com)

Eco Home
 • Smart Power Strip: Phantom power usage from unneeded electronics can be reduced by up to 72 percent with a master switch, (www.gaiam.com).

 • Nylon Shower Curtain: Most people do not know that vinyl shower curtains have harmful off-gassing and an estrogenic effect for little boys - transition now and change from vinyl to nylon, (www.bedbathbeyond.com).

 • Bamboo Hangers: Many people know that bamboo is a grass that is sustainable, but they don't know that they can get hangers too - the materials are not harvested using pesticides, so there is no off-gassing, (www.hangers.com).

And finally, remember the simple rules for energy efficiency - select appliances with the Energy Star logo and turn off the lights if you are not in your room.

Best of Luck with Back to School!